So the Great Sage Sun, along with Eight Rules and Sha Monk, took leave of Elder Chen and arrived at the riverbank. The Great Sage said, "Brothers, the two of you decide who will go into the water first."
Eight Rules said, "Elder Brother, our skills aren't that great either. It's better that you go down first."
The Pilgrim said, "To be honest with you, worthy brothers, if it were a mountain demon, I wouldn't need your help at all. But when it comes to water, I'm useless. Even if I have to cross a sea or a river, I must recite the Water-Avoiding Spell, or else transform into a fish or a crab to get through. But once I recite the spell, I can't wield the Golden-Hooped Rod, nor can I use my divine powers to fight demons. I've long known that you two are accustomed to water, which is why I'm asking you to go down."
Sha Monk said, "Elder Brother, although I can go into the water, I don't know what the situation is at the bottom. How about we all go together? You could transform into something, or I could carry you on my back, part the waters, and find the demon's lair. You can go in first to scout things out. If the Master is unharmed and still inside, we'll put in our full effort to attack. But if this demon isn't the one causing trouble, and the Master has either drowned or been eaten, we won't have wasted our energy. We can find another path early on. What do you think?"
The Pilgrim said, "Worthy brother, you speak sense. Which of you will carry me?"
Eight Rules secretly rejoiced: "This monkey has played tricks on me many times before, and it turns out he can't handle water! Today, I'll carry him and get my revenge!" The Fool grinned and shouted, "Elder Brother, I'll carry you!"
The Pilgrim saw through his scheme at once but decided to play along. "Fine, that works. You're even stronger than Wujing." So Eight Rules carried the Pilgrim on his back.
Sha Monk parted the waters, and the three brothers entered the Celestial River together. After walking about a hundred miles along the riverbed, that Fool began to play his tricks on the Pilgrim. The Pilgrim immediately plucked out a strand of his hair, transforming it into a double of himself that clung to Eight Rules' back, while his true form became a pig louse, sticking tightly inside Eight Rules' ear.
As Eight Rules was walking, he suddenly slipped, taking the opportunity to fling the Pilgrim forward. With a splash, the double landed in the mud. But since it was only a transformed hair, it drifted away and vanished without a trace.
Sha Monk said, "Second Elder Brother, what's wrong with you? If you can't walk properly and fall into the mud yourself, that's one thing, but you've thrown Elder Brother away to who knows where!"
Eight Rules said, "That monkey can't take a fall. One tumble and he's gone. Brother, don't worry about whether he's alive or dead. Let's go find the Master first."
Sha Monk said, "No, we must wait for him. Although he doesn't know water, he's much sharper than we are. Without him, I'm not going with you."
The Pilgrim, unable to contain himself inside Eight Rules' ear, shouted loudly, "Wujing! Old Sun is right here!"
Sha Monk heard this and laughed, "It's over! This Fool is tired of living! How dare you play tricks on him! Now we hear his voice but can't see him—what are we going to do?"
Eight Rules panicked, knelt in the mud, and kowtowed, "Elder Brother, I was wrong. After we rescue the Master and get ashore, I'll apologize properly. Where are you speaking from? You're scaring me to death! Please show yourself, and I'll carry you again. I wouldn't dare offend you anymore."
The Pilgrim said, "You'll still carry me. I won't trick you. Hurry up and go! Hurry!" That Fool, mumbling endless apologies, got up and continued walking with Sha Monk.
After another hundred miles, they suddenly spotted a tower ahead, with four large characters inscribed above it: "The Mansion of the Water Turtles ."
Sha Monk said, "This must be the demon's lair. We don't know what's inside. How dare we challenge him at his own gate?"
The Pilgrim said, "Wujing, is there water inside or outside that gate?"
Sha Monk said, "There is no water."
The Pilgrim said, "Since there's no water, you two hide on either side. Let Old Sun go in and scout things out."
What a Great Sage! He crawled out of Eight Rules' ear, shook himself, and transformed into a long-legged shrimp. With a few leaps, he jumped through the gate. Opening his eyes, he saw the demon sitting at the head of the hall, with a host of water creatures arrayed on either side. A gaily dressed mandarin fish spirit sat nearby, and they were all discussing how to eat Tang Sanzang.
The Pilgrim watched carefully, searching left and right but not seeing his Master. Suddenly, he spotted a large-bellied shrimp spirit walking over and stopping under the western corridor. The Pilgrim jumped over and said, "Auntie, the King and the others are planning to eat Tang Sanzang. Where is he?"
The shrimp spirit said, "Tang Sanzang was captured by the King using a spell to bring snow and freeze the river. Yesterday, he was locked in a stone chest behind the palace. Tomorrow, if his disciples don't come to cause trouble, they will feast on his flesh with music."
Upon hearing this, the Pilgrim roamed around a bit longer until he found the rear of the palace. There, indeed, was a stone chest. It looked like a pig trough from a wine shop in the mortal world, or a stone coffin, measuring a full six feet in length. The Pilgrim pressed his ear against the chest and listened. Inside, he heard Tang Sanzang crying softly.
The Pilgrim remained silent, listening more intently. He heard his Master gritting his teeth and reciting through a groan:
I lament my fate, born of the river's flow,
Plagued by watery disasters since long ago.
From my mother's womb, through waves I was cast,
Now worshipping Buddha in the West, I've sunk at last.
Once in the Black River I faced distress,
Now, with the ice broken, death I must confess.
Will my disciples come to set me free,
So I may gain the sutras and return to my country?
The Pilgrim could not help but call out, "Master, do not lament your watery fate. The scriptures say: 'Earth is the mother of the Five Elements, and Water is their source. Without Earth, nothing grows; without Water, nothing is nourished.' Old Sun is here!"
Upon hearing the voice, Tang Sanzang quickly said, "Disciple, save me quickly!"
The Pilgrim said, "Rest assured. Once we capture the demon, I guarantee you will be freed from danger."
Tang Sanzang said, "Hurry! If I wait another day, I will surely be suffocated!"
The Pilgrim said, "No problem! No problem! I'm off!" He quickly turned back, leaped out the door, and revealed his true form outside. "Eight Rules!" he called.
That Fool and Sha Monk rushed over. "Elder Brother, how is it?"
The Pilgrim said, "It's this demon who tricked the Master. The Master is unharmed, but he's locked in a stone chest below. You two go and challenge the demon. Let Old Sun first float to the surface. If you can capture him, do so. If not, pretend to lose and lure him out of the water. I'll take care of him then."
Sha Monk said, "Elder Brother, go ahead and rest easy. The two of us will handle things as they come."
So the Pilgrim recited the Water-Avoiding Spell, drilled out of the water, and stood waiting on the bank. We'll leave him there for now.
Now, look at Zhu Eight Rules . He charged up to the demon's gate, roaring, "Wicked fiend! Hand over my Master!"
The little demons inside reported in panic, " Great King , someone is at the gate asking for his Master!"
The demon said, "It must be those monks." He then ordered, "Bring my armor and weapons quickly!" The little demons fetched them at once. The demon dressed himself fully, took his weapon, and ordered the gate opened. He strode out.
Eight Rules and Sha Monk stood on either side, observing the demon's appearance. What a monster! Look at him:
On his head, a golden helmet, dazzling bright,
His golden armor shimmered with rainbow light.
A jeweled belt around his waist was wound,
Strange boots of yellow smoke on his feet were found.
His nose was high and prominent, like a peak,
His forehead broad, like a dragon's, strong and sleek.
His eyes flashed, round and fierce, with a fiery gleam,
His teeth were sharp as steel, a jagged stream.
His short hair was tousled, like flames that dance,
His long beard was elegant, a golden lance.
In his mouth, a tender green weed he'd chew,
In his hand, a nine-petaled bronze hammer he'd hew.
With a creak, the gate swung open wide,
His roar was like spring thunder, shaking the tide.
Such a form is rarely seen in the mortal world,
He dared call himself the Numinous and Mighty Lord.
The demon stepped out, followed by a hundred or so little demons, all wielding spears and swords, arrayed in two ranks. The demon said to Eight Rules, "Which temple's monk are you? Why do you come here to make trouble?"
Eight Rules shouted, "You undying creature! You argued with me the other day, and now you pretend not to know me? I am a disciple of the Holy Monk of the Great Tang in the East, on our way to worship Buddha and seek the scriptures in the West. You used tricks, pretending to be the Numinous and Mighty Lord, and specialized in eating virgin boys and girls from the Chen family. I am the daughter of Chen Qing, Yi Cheng Jin. Don't you recognize me?"
The demon said, "You monk, you have no reason! You transformed into Yi Cheng Jin, which is already a crime of impersonation. I didn't eat you, and instead, you injured the back of my hand. I let you off, and yet you dare to come to my door?"
Eight Rules said, "If you let me off, then why did you summon a cold wind, bring down heavy snow, and freeze the river, harming my Master? Hand over my Master immediately, and everything will be fine! But if you utter a single 'no,' just look at my rake—I will show you no mercy!"
Upon hearing this, the demon sneered coldly, "You monk, you're all talk, full of big words. You're right. It was I who summoned the cold and froze the river, capturing your Master. Now that you've come to my door asking for him, I'm afraid things won't be as easy as last time. Last time, I was going to a banquet and didn't bring my weapon, so I was carelessly injured by you. Don't think you can leave now. I'll fight you for three rounds. If you can defeat me in three rounds, I'll return your Master. If you can't, I'll eat you too."
Eight Rules said, "Good son! That's the way to talk! Watch my rake!"
The demon said, "You must be a monk who entered the faith halfway through life."
Eight Rules said, "My boy, you're quite clever. How did you know I entered the faith halfway?"
The demon said, "The way you handle that rake, you must have worked in someone's vegetable garden and stolen it."
Eight Rules said, "Son, this rake of mine isn't for farming. Look: Its giant teeth are forged like dragon claws, its golden inlay gleams like a python's form. When it meets an enemy, a cold wind blows; when it clashes, flames burst forth. It can rid the Holy Monk of monsters, capture demons on the road to the West. When swung, it hides the sun and moon with smoke and clouds; when flourished, it shines with rosy light. It can topple Mount Tai, terrifying a thousand tigers; it can overturn the sea, startling ten thousand dragons. No matter how mighty your powers, one blow from this rake will leave nine holes!"
The demon refused to believe him and raised his bronze hammer to strike at Eight Rules' head. Eight Rules blocked it with his rake and said, "You creature, you must be a fiend who became a demon halfway!"
The demon said, "How do you know I became a demon halfway?"
Eight Rules said, "The way you use that bronze hammer, you must have worked in a silversmith's shop and stolen it when no one was looking."
The demon said, "This is not a silversmith's hammer. Look: Nine petals form a flower bud, a hollow stem that lasts ten thousand years. It's not an ordinary mortal object; its origin is from the Immortal Garden. Its green calyx and purple seeds aged in the Jasper Pool, its pure fragrance and clear scent born in the green marsh. Because I refined it with my efforts, it is as hard as steel and thoroughly numinous. Spears, swords, and halberds cannot compare; battle-axes, hatchets, and spears dare not approach. Even if your rake is sharp, a single blow from my hammer will shatter its prongs!"
Sha Monk, seeing them trading insults back and forth, could not help but step forward and shout, "Monster! Enough talk! The ancients said, 'Words are empty; deeds prove the truth.' Don't run! Taste my staff!"
The demon blocked with his hammer handle and said, "You are also a monk who entered the faith halfway."
Sha Monk said, "How do you know?"
The demon said, "Judging by your appearance, you look like you came from a flour mill."
Sha Monk said, "What makes you think I look like a miller?"
The demon said, "If you weren't a miller, how would you know how to use a rolling pin?"
Sha Monk cursed, "You fiend, you're so ignorant! This weapon is rare in the mortal world, which is why you don't know its name. It was forged from the immortal wood of the Moon Palace, from the shadowless cassia tree. On the outside, it's inlaid with gems that shine with rosy light; inside, it's filled with gold that condenses auspicious energy. In the past, it attended imperial banquets; today, it upholds righteousness and protects Tang Sanzang. On the road to the West, you know nothing of it, but in the heavenly palace, it has a great name. It is called the True Demon-Subduing Staff, and one blow will shatter your heavenly spirit!"
The demon would not listen to any more talk, and the three of them immediately changed their expressions. This battle fought underwater was a lively affair:
The bronze hammer, the precious staff, and the iron rake,
Wujing and Wuneng fought the evil fiend.
One was the Heavenly Marshal descended to the world,
The other was a great general subduing the horizon.
The two of them flanked the water monster, displaying their might,
While the lone demon matched the divine monks, a formidable sight.
By fate and affinity, they followed the Great Way,
Mutually generating and overcoming, like the Ganges sand.
Earth overcomes Water, and the water dries up to the bottom;
Water generates Wood, and the wood flourishes, blooming flowers.
The Chan method of cultivation merges into one essence,
The elixir's refinement subdues the three families.
Earth is the mother, sprouting the golden shoots;
Gold generates divine water, producing the infant.
Water is the root, moistening the wood's splendor,
Wood has the brilliant glow of blazing fire and sunset clouds.
The Five Elements are all distinct and different,
Thus their faces changed, each vying for supremacy.
Look at his bronze hammer, nine petals shining bright,
The precious staff, a thousand threads of colorful silk.
The rake, following yin and yang, dividing the nine stars,
Their unknown techniques tangled like a mess of hemp.
Risking their lives for the monk's ordeal,
Forgetting death for the sake of Shakyamuni.
Thus the bronze hammer swung without pause,
Blocking the staff on the left and the rake on the right.
The three of them fought for two hours underwater without a clear victor. Zhu Eight Rules, sensing they couldn't defeat the demon, signaled to Sha Monk. They both pretended to lose, dragging their weapons and fleeing back.
The monster shouted, "Little ones, guard the place here. Wait for me to catch up to those two and bring them back for your dinner."
Ah! Look at him run, like wind scattering fallen leaves, like rain beating on withered flowers, chasing Eight Rules and Sha Monk out of the water.
The Great Sage Sun, standing on the high ground of the eastern bank, kept his eyes fixed on the water's surface. Suddenly, he saw waves churning and heard shouts shaking the heavens. Eight Rules jumped ashore first, shouting, "He's coming! He's coming!" Sha Monk also ran to the bank, shouting, "He's coming! He's coming!"
The demon chased after them, yelling, "Don't run!" Just as he poked his head out, the Pilgrim roared, "Watch my staff!" The demon quickly dodged, raising his bronze hammer to parry. They fought, one in the waves by the river, the other displaying his might on the shore. Before three rounds were over, the demon could not withstand the assault. He stumbled, then plunged back into the water, and the river's surface immediately calmed.
The Pilgrim walked back to the high cliff and said, "Brothers, you've worked hard!"
Sha Monk said, "Elder Brother, that demon can't fight on land, but underwater, he's formidable! With the two of us attacking from both sides, we could only manage a draw. How are we going to rescue the Master?"
The Pilgrim said, "Don't hesitate, or the Master might be harmed."
Eight Rules said, "Elder Brother, let me go down and lure him out again. Don't make a sound. Wait for him in mid-air. The moment he pokes his head out, smash it like you're pounding garlic! Even if you don't kill him, you'll daze him. Then I'll rush up and hit him with my rake. I guarantee I'll finish him off!"
The Pilgrim said, "Right! Right! This is called 'cooperation from within and without.' It's sure to succeed." The two of them dove back into the water, and we'll leave them there for now.
Meanwhile, the demon, having lost the battle, fled back to his lair. The little demons welcomed him into the palace. The mandarin fish spirit stepped forward and asked, "Great King, where did you chase those two monks to?"
The demon said, "It turns out the monks had an ally! After they jumped ashore, that ally swung an iron staff at me. I dodged and fought him. I don't know how many pounds that staff weighs, but my bronze hammer couldn't withstand it. After less than three rounds, I was defeated."
The mandarin fish spirit said, "Great King, do you remember what that ally looked like?"
The demon said, "He was a monk with a hairy face, a thunder-god beak, protruding ears, a flat nose, and fiery golden eyes."
Upon hearing this, the mandarin fish spirit shuddered and said, "Great King! It's a good thing you were wise and fled! If you had fought three more rounds, you surely would have died! I know that monk."
The demon said, "You know who he is?"
The mandarin fish spirit said, "In the past, when I was in the Eastern Ocean, I heard Old Dragon King speak of his fame. He is the Primordial Unity, Supreme One, Great Monad Golden Immortal of five hundred years ago, who wreaked havoc in Heaven—the Handsome Monkey King, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Now he has submitted to Buddhism and protects Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West for scriptures. He has changed his name to Sun Wukong, the Pilgrim. His divine powers are vast, and his transformations are endless. Great King, how could you dare to provoke him! From now on, don't fight him anymore."
Before she had finished speaking, a little demon from the gate reported, "Great King, those two monks are at the gate again, challenging you!"
The demon said, "Worthy sister, you're right. I won't go out. Let's see what they can do." He quickly ordered, "Little ones, bolt the main gate tight! Follow the old saying: 'Let them shout their throats out at the gate, I simply won't open it!' Let them hang around for two days. When they lose patience and leave, we can enjoy Tang Sanzang's flesh in comfort!"
The little demons immediately set to work, moving stones and piling up mud, sealing the gate completely. Eight Rules and Sha Monk shouted outside for a long time without any response. The Fool grew anxious and started smashing the gate with his rake. But the gate was tightly sealed. After seven or eight blows, he only managed to break the door panels, revealing layers of earth and stone piled up behind, impossible to break through.
Seeing this, Sha Monk said, "Second Elder Brother, this monster must be scared. He's shut the gate and won't come out. Let's go back to the eastern bank and discuss a plan with Elder Brother." Eight Rules agreed, and they returned to the eastern bank.
The Great Sage Sun was hovering in mid-air, half cloud and half mist, holding his Golden-Hooped Rod, waiting. When he saw them come up without the demon, he descended from the clouds and greeted them at the bank. "Brothers, why didn't the demon follow you?"
Sha Monk said, "That monster has sealed his gate tight and won't come out no matter what. Second Elder Brother smashed the door panels, but inside, it's all blocked with earth and stone. We can't fight him, so we came back to discuss with you how to rescue the Master."
The Pilgrim said, "There's really no good way to handle this. You two keep watch on the riverbank and don't let him escape to another place. I'm going somewhere and will be right back."
Eight Rules said, "Elder Brother, where are you going?"
The Pilgrim said, "I'm going to visit the Bodhisattva Guanyin at Potalaka Mountain. I'll ask her where this Celestial River demon comes from and what his name is. Once I find his origins, I'll capture his family and neighbors, then come back to catch him and rescue the Master."
Eight Rules laughed, "Elder Brother, that's too much trouble and a waste of time."
The Pilgrim said, "Trouble or no trouble, time or no time! I'm going and I'll be back!"
What a Great Sage! He quickly mounted his auspicious cloud, left the river mouth, and headed straight for the Southern Sea. In less than half an hour, he saw Mount Putuo not far away. He descended from the clouds and went directly to Potalaka Cliff. There, the twenty-four guardian deities, the mountain-guarding god, Moksha the Novice, the Sudhana Youth, and the Pearl-Holding Dragon Maiden all came forward to greet him, bowing and saying, "Great Sage, why have you come?"
The Pilgrim said, "I have business and need to see the Bodhisattva."
The deities said, "The Bodhisattva left her abode this morning. She forbade anyone from following her and went into the bamboo grove to enjoy herself. She knew that the Great Sage would come today and instructed us to welcome you here. She said you cannot see her immediately. Please wait a moment before the Verdant Cliff. When the Bodhisattva comes out, she will have her arrangements."
The Pilgrim had no choice but to comply. Before he could sit down, the Sudhana Youth stepped forward and bowed, "Great Sage Sun, I am grateful for your help in the past. Fortunately, the Bodhisattva did not reject me and took me in. Now I am by her side day and night, serving beneath her lotus throne, and I am particularly well-treated by the Bodhisattva."
The Pilgrim recognized him as Red Boy and laughed, "Back then, you were blinded by your demonic heart. Now that you've cultivated the true fruit, you finally know that Old Sun is a good person."
The Pilgrim waited a long time but still did not see the Bodhisattva. Growing anxious, he said, "Could one of you announce me? If I wait any longer, my Master's life might be in danger."
The guardian deities said, "We dare not announce you. The Bodhisattva specifically instructed that we must wait for her to come out on her own."
The Pilgrim was impatient by nature and could not wait any longer. He quickly leaped up and strode inside. Alas!
This Handsome Monkey King, impatient and quick,
The guardian deities could not hold him back.
He strode into the deep bamboo grove,
And peered with wide-open eyes to see.
From afar, he beheld the Savior of Suffering,
Sitting cross-legged on a mat of withered bamboo leaves.
She was languid and too lazy to dress up,
Her face was still radiant and beautiful.
Her hair was loosely gathered in a single bun,
She wore no jeweled necklace.
She had not put on her plain blue robe,
But was wrapped in a tight inner garment.
A brocade skirt was loosely tied around her waist,
And her feet were bare.
No embroidered sash hung from her shoulders,
And both her arms were completely bare.
Her jade-like hands held a steel knife,
And she was shaving bamboo strips.
When the Pilgrim saw this, he could not help but shout loudly, "Bodhisattva, your disciple Sun Wukong pays his sincere respects!"
The Bodhisattva said, "Wait outside."
The Pilgrim knelt and kowtowed, "Bodhisattva, my Master is in trouble. I have come specifically to ask about the origins of the Celestial River demon."
The Bodhisattva said, "Go out first. Wait until I come out to speak."
The Pilgrim dared not insist and had to leave the bamboo grove. He said to the guardian deities, "Why is the Bodhisattva doing household chores today? She's not sitting on her lotus throne, she's not dressed up, and she looks unhappy. What is she doing shaving bamboo strips in the grove?"
The guardian deities said, "We don't know either. This morning, she left her abode without dressing up and went straight into the bamboo grove. She also instructed us to welcome the Great Sage here. It must be because the Great Sage has urgent business." The Pilgrim had no choice but to continue waiting.
Not long after, they saw the Bodhisattva emerge from the bamboo grove, carrying a purple bamboo basket in her hand. She said, "Wukong, I will go with you to rescue Tang Sanzang."
The Pilgrim quickly knelt and said, "Your disciple dare not rush you. Please put on your clothes and sit on your lotus throne first."
The Bodhisattva said, "There's no need to put on clothes. Let's go now." With that, the Bodhisattva left the guardian deities behind, mounted an auspicious cloud, and soared into the sky. The Great Sage Sun had no choice but to follow her.
In a short while, they arrived at the Celestial River region. Eight Rules and Sha Monk saw them and said, "Elder Brother was too impatient. He must have been shouting and yelling at the Southern Sea, forcing the Bodhisattva to come without even dressing up." Before they had finished speaking, the Bodhisattva arrived at the riverbank. The two of them quickly bowed and said, "Bodhisattva, we have been too reckless. We are guilty! We are guilty!"
The Bodhisattva immediately untied the silk sash that bound her inner garment, fastened it to the bamboo basket, held the sash, stepped onto half a cloud, and cast the basket into the river. She pulled the sash upstream, reciting a spell: "The dead go, the living stay! The dead go, the living stay!" After reciting it seven times, she lifted the basket. Inside, there was a gleaming golden fish, blinking its eyes and moving its scales.
The Bodhisattva said, "Wukong, quickly go into the water and rescue your Master!"
The Pilgrim said, "We haven't caught the demon yet. How can we rescue the Master?"
The Bodhisattva said, "Isn't this in the basket?"
Eight Rules and Sha Monk quickly bowed and asked, "How could this fish have such great powers?"
The Bodhisattva said, "It was originally a golden fish raised in my lotus pond. Every day, it would float to the surface to listen to my sermons and thus cultivated its powers. That nine-petaled bronze hammer of his was actually an unopened lotus bud, which he refined into a weapon. I don't know which day it was, but the tide rose and swept it here. This morning, as I was leaning on the railing to look at the flowers, I didn't see it come out to pay its respects. I counted on my fingers and realized it had become a demon here and was harming your Master. That's why I didn't have time to dress up. I used my divine powers to weave this bamboo basket and catch it."
The Pilgrim said, "Bodhisattva, since that's the case, please wait a moment. Let me go and call the villagers of the Chen family to come and see the Bodhisattva's true form. First, so they will remember your grace. Second, to tell them about the demon's capture, so that mortals may sincerely worship you."
The Bodhisattva said, "Alright. Go and call them quickly."
Eight Rules and Sha Monk immediately ran to the village and shouted loudly, "Everyone, come and see the living Bodhisattva Guanyin! Come and see the living Bodhisattva Guanyin!" The old and young, men and women of the Chen family all ran to the riverbank. Even if they had to step into the mud, they knelt and kowtowed in worship. Among them were those who could paint, and they painted the Bodhisattva's likeness. This is the origin of the manifestation of "Guanyin with the Fish Basket." Afterward, the Bodhisattva returned to the Southern Sea.
Eight Rules and Sha Monk parted the waters and went straight to the Mansion of the Water Turtles to find their Master. It turned out that all the water monsters and fish spirits inside were already dead and rotten. They entered the rear palace, lifted the stone chest, carried Tang Sanzang out, and brought him to the shore, where he met the crowd.
Chen Qing and his brother knelt and thanked him, saying, "Venerable Sir, you didn't listen to our advice and insisted on going. That's why you suffered this calamity."
The Pilgrim said, "Enough of that. From now on, you won't need to hold sacrificial ceremonies here anymore. The demon has been eradicated root and branch, and he will never harm anyone again. Elder Chen, now I must trouble you to quickly find a boat to take us across the river."
Chen Qing said, "I have one! I have one!" He immediately ordered people to dismantle planks and build a boat. When the villagers heard this, they were all willing to help. Some offered to buy masts and sails, some prepared poles and oars, some brought ropes, and some hired boatmen.
As they were bustling about on the riverbank, they suddenly heard someone shouting from the middle of the river, "Great Sage Sun, don't build a boat! Don't waste people's money! I will carry you and your master across the river!"
When the crowd heard this, they were all terrified. The timid ones ran home, while the bolder ones, trembling with fear, wanted to see what was happening. In a moment, a monster emerged from the water. Look at its appearance:
This square-headed divine creature was no ordinary being,
With nine apertures of spiritual power, called the Water Immortal.
Dragging its tail, it could extend its life for a thousand years,
Hiding its body, it silently dwelled in the hundred rivers' depths.
It churned waves and leaped currents, rushing to the riverbank,
Facing the sun and wind, it rested by the sea.
Nourishing its breath and containing its spirit, it truly possessed the Dao,
An old, moss-covered, flat-headed turtle for many years.
The old turtle called out again